A year has passed since the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything about how people live, work, and receive medical care. For ophthalmology and optometry practices across the country, it has been a year marked by both challenges and successes, and many businesses have emerged with new best practices that will continue to benefit patients, practitioners, and staff once the crisis has passed. First and foremost, businesses had to be flexible in the face of change. Soon after the first cases of the...

According to the National Eye Institute, an estimated 16 million Americans suffer from keratoconjunctivitis sicca—a condition more commonly known as dry eye disease (DED) or dry eye syndrome. DED occurs when the eyes are unable to produce enough tears to continually lubricate the surface of the eye, which is important for clear vision. Common signs and symptoms include a gritty, irritated feeling as well as tired, sore, or red eyes. Patients have also reported experiencing itching, burning,...

As an eye care specialist, you want to offer your patients the very best in ophthalmic care, and that means outfitting your practice with the latest digital imaging equipment. However, like any new piece of equipment, a digital imaging solution is a significant investment, and you want to make sure you are getting the best return on that investment. Specifically, how can you be sure Medicare will reimburse you for the images you bill for? While it is true that Medicare reimbursement for...

Over the last two decades, there have been significant advancements in the technology used by eye doctors to examine and diagnose their patients. In particular, the development of the digital refractor (also called a digital phoropter) greatly accelerates exam time by automating the refraction process. For example, comparing a patient’s old prescription to their new one is streamlined to make the process quick and easy, saving doctors time and money and allowing them to see even more patients...